Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Monday fiercely targeted Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav. He said both Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav have destroyed the PDA.
Mr Shahi ,while talking to The Statesman’ said, “The so-called PDA that Akhilesh is talking about, it is he who has destroyed it. Why did he not remember the PDA when he was the Chief Minister? What did he do for the PDA while he was the Chief Minister?”
Taking a dig at former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Shahi said, “Where was the backward class in his time? Where were castes like Kushwaha, Bhar, Nonia? Why did they not get the benefits of government schemes? Who told them not to give them the benefits of the schemes? Who told them not to give them toilets? You were the Chief Minister. Your father was the Chief Minister of the state thrice. But why did you people not take this step?”
The senior BJP leader said that where did the PDA stand between 2002 and 2017. Mayawati was the Chief Minister in between. Is she not a part of the PDA? Where did the PDA stand before Chief Minister Yogi in 2017?
Mr. Shahi made a big allegation on Akhilesh Yadav’s government and said, “During his time, Rs 15 lakh was taken from children for jobs. This money was taken in the recruitment of Lekhpal and Police. Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission was completely destroyed. Jobs were given to people of a particular caste. Today, appointments are being made on the basis of merit in Yogi ji’s government.”
Reacting sharply to Akhilesh Yadav calling the Election Commission a Jugaad Commission, Mr. Shahi said that Akhilesh only wants to create an atmosphere of confusion. When the Election Commission is asking for evidence, he should give it.
He said that the Election Commission always runs its campaign regarding the voter list. When they got seats in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections, the voter list was not wrong. Actually, there is no basis for their claims. It is their habit to just spread rumors and then run away.
Regarding the Vote Adhikar Yatra of Congress in Bihar, Surya Pratap Shahi said that it will not affect the Bihar Assembly elections.